Doug Ford is blaming the "mess" he inherited from his predecessor for his controversial decision to appoint about a dozen Tory candidates in ridings across Ontario. Ford, who criticized former Tory leader Patrick Brown for making appointments in the past, said he loathes the practice. Ford said there were 28 ridings without Tory candidates when he took over as leader in March, and his team was able to fill 17 through traditional nomination races. "If we'd continued on with the other 11, it would probably take us right into almost election day," Ford said. Several Tory nomination candidates have publicly complained about the appointments, calling them unfair.

Source: CBC News April 23, 2018 15:33 UTC